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Immigration
The overriding impact of immigrants is to strengthen and enrich American culture, increase the total output of the economy, and raise the standard of living of American citizens. Immigrants are advantageous to the United States for several reasons: (1) Since they are willing to take a chance in a new land, they are self-selected on the basis on motivation, risk taking, work ethic, and other attributes beneficial to a nation. (2) They tend to come to the United States during their prime working years (the average age is 28), and they contribute to the workforce and make huge net contributions to old-age entitlement programs, primarily Social Security. (3) Immigrants tend to fill niches in the labor market where demand is highest relative to supply, complementing rather than directly competing with American workers. (4) Many immigrants arrive with extremely high skill levels, and virtually all, regardless of skill level, bring a strong desire to work. (5) Their children tend to reach high levels of achievement in American schools and in society at large.
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Books and Book Chapters
"National ID Systems," Chapter 29, Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009).
"Immigration," Chapter 60, Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009).
Cato Studies
"Globalization: Curse or Cure? Policies to Harness Global Economic Integration to Solve Our Economic Challenge," by Jagadeesh Gokhale, Policy Analysis no. 659, February 1, 2010
"Restriction or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform," by Peter B. Dixon and Maureen T. Rimmer, Trade Policy Analysis no. 40, August 13, 2009
"As Immigrants Move In, Americans Move Up," by Daniel Griswold, Free Trade Bulletin no. 38, July 21, 2009
"Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification: Franz Kafka's Solution to Illegal Immigration," by Jim Harper, Policy Analysis no. 612, March 6, 2008
"The Fiscal Impact of Immigration Reform: The Real Story," by Daniel Griswold, Free Trade Bulletin no. 30, May 21, 2007
Articles and Newsletters
"On Immigration, the President Speaks Softly," by Stuart Anderson, Immigration Reform Bulletin, July 2010.
"Immigrants and Crime: Perception vs. Reality," by Stuart Anderson, Immigration Reform Bulletin, June 2010.
"A Look at the Senate Democratic Proposal for Immigration Reform: Is the Glass Half Empty, Half Full or Shattered on the Ground?," by Stuart Anderson, Immigration Reform Bulletin, May 2010.
"Do Gaps in E-Verify Justify a National ID?," by Stuart Anderson, Immigration Reform Bulletin, April 2010.
"Higher Immigration, Lower Crime", by Daniel Griswold, Commentary Magazine, December 2009
Opinion and Commentary
"Arizona's Latest Immigration Idea Makes Sense," by Will Wilkinson, The Week, July 2, 2010
"Unfounded Fear of Immigrant Crime Grips Arizona," by Daniel Griswold, Washington Times, May 25, 2010
"The Realities Behind the Immigration Debate," by Jeffrey A. Miron, Daily Caller, May 18, 2010
"In Selective Outrage at Arizona Alien Law, Pot Meets Kettle," by William Ruger and Jason Sorens, Providence Journal, May 17, 2010
"U.S. Needs to Let More Workers In," by Daniel Griswold, Philadelphia Inquirer, April 27, 2010
Events
"The Politics and Law of Immigration," July 21, 2010 [Policy Forum]
"Using Work Visas to Control the Border," July 1, 2010 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Should Immigration Reform Include a National ID?," April 23, 2010 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Restriction or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform," August 14, 2009 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders," June 18, 2008 [Book Forum]
Multimedia
"Guest Workers Aid Border Security" featuring Stuart Anderson, July 7, 2010 [Flash Audio, 08:58]
"Immigration Fact and Fiction" featuring Rep. Jeff Flake, July 2, 2010 [Flash Audio, 06:24]
"Arizona and Immigration" featuring Daniel Griswold, May 17, 2010 [Flash Audio, 07:59]
"National ID Means National DMV" featuring Christopher Calabrese, May 7, 2010 [Flash Audio, 11:24]
Donald J. Boudreaux debates the Arizona immigration bill on FOX's Freedom Watch May 4, 2010 [Flash Video, 09:45]
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